School Committee hears about Oak St, FHS Program of studies, approves Cheerleader trip to Nationals, and Capital Budget request (audio)

FM #1134 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1134 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers. 

Due to a Verizon internet outage at the Franklin TV Studio, the meeting was recorded for broadcast later and available via Zoom. Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8BvAH3q6xM&list=PLNyv0AkVasIR_a80hAfFnQoFngebCICow&index=46

Quick recap:

• Internet out at TV studio, meeting via Zoom but not through to cable, it is being locally recorded for broadcast later, Audio recording also being made, Owl camera out to use for this meeting and Zoom session

• Skipped ahead to Superintendent report, will come back to the FHS student update assuming they connect successfully

• Facility planning underway, subcmte met last week. 3 piece process: (1) demographics, (2) educational adequacy and how to support it, (3) age and use of the space in the schools; More info coming as the presentation is scheduled for completion later this school year

• Workshop on executive function, 90 mins for adults only, sign up through Lifelong Learning (link to be shared later)

• Regards to the weather, please communicate also through the reverse 911 process

• Dr Dutch provided an update on the state funding for the newly arrived students, submitted not received yet. Student update on activity at the high school

• Oak St administration team to provide an update on the school activities this year so far 

• Good question on languages and how the new folks, especially the younger ones, are catching on? 'Wheels on the bus' sung in multiple languages is a thing to hear! language is building every day in K and 1

• Question to expand on trauma informed practices, some kids are having tough times, how do you handle them? Lesley Univ presenting a course on this topic for a grad level course being set up for this. 27 staff members at Oak will be taking this course

• Interview by students focused on 3, 4, and 5th grade students. Adapted also for the lower levels. Coming up later this year!

• Next up, program of studies at FHS, Mr Hanna and H McVey

• Personal finance and community service coming back for FHS graduation requirements for future classes

• Students will receive a copy of the courses available to them, as opposed to prior years advised to review the listing (turns out many didn't)

• Timeline reviewed for information process & enrollment

• Panther Pride night Feb 12, a good one for the incoming 9th graders (currently 8th graders)

• Recurring FHS Varsity Cheerleading National Competition, approved by 7-0 vote

• Capital Budget Proposal - I recommend approval of the Capital Budget Proposal as discussed. Motion to approve, second, passes 7-0; Budget subcmte had met earlier and approved this request

The meeting runs about 1 hour and 55 minutes so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. Audio link - > https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1134-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-09-24

--------------

School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

Meeting Agenda doc  -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/1-9-24-agenda 

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-9-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet  

Oak St highlights -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/MyeaEisD1EuirtpTA 

FHS program of studies -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/aeMBP35oMNzM5QHs5 

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qXpStXQX6JrK5nRluvpygt-tkT3o9GCZ/view?usp=drive_link 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FHS student providing update on FHS activities during School Cmte meeting via Zoom session

Dean College among small colleges struggling with enrollment decline per Boston Globe

"For much of recent history, intimate private colleges and universities have thrived here, as much a part of the region’s identity as tumbledown stone walls and scenic coastlines, the local highways bristling with signs signaling that another quintessential New England campus is just an exit away.

But the business model for the small liberal arts school is much less viable these days, as the population of high school graduates continues to decline and more young people are skeptical of, or unable to bear, the hefty cost of a college degree. Already in Massachusetts, more than 20 colleges closed completely or merged into larger institutions since 2014, according to the state Department of Higher Education.

And industry insiders expect more of the smaller or lesser-known schools to fade away, while a handful of private universities boasting massive endowments will continue to flourish.

Two of the nation’s big credit rating agencies reported dire financial outlooks for the year for the higher education sector: Fitch Ratings says conditions in the sector are “deteriorating,” and Moody’s Investors Service says the outlook is “negative.”

Continue reading at the Boston Globe (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/04/28/metro/small-private-colleges-business-model/

As has been posted here previously, the demographic trends are/should be well known, school population is declining particularly in the US. There are a variety of reasons all contributing to the decline and some institutions (i.e. small colleges) are going to feel too.

Dean College among small colleges struggling with enrollment decline per Boston Globe

"According to the UN, nearly two-thirds of the world’s population lives in a region where the fertility rate is below the critical 2.1 threshold"

The declining school enrollment (and overall population) in Franklin is a reflection of a trend seen around the world. We share this infographic from Visual Capitalist:

"At the dawn of the 19th century, the world population hit a big milestone: 1 billion people.

Over the next 220 years, the number grew to eight times that, or the 8 billion people who live on the planet today, with half of the growth occurring since 1975.

This continuous climb in global population has been possible thanks to advancements in healthcare and nutrition. However, the UN forecasts that rapid growth will slow down—and may even stop entirely by 2100—because of falling fertility rates.

What does that mean for modern nation states conditioned to expect a constant influx of new citizens and labor to power their economies? And how can those changing economies adapt to a shrinking population?

To understand that, we need to first untangle fertility rates, and why they’re falling."

Continue reading about the fertility rate decline ->    https://www.visualcapitalist.com/worlds-plummeting-fertility-rate/ 

According to the UN, nearly two-thirds of the world’s population lives in a region where the fertility rate is below the critical 2.1 threshold

School Committee Budget Subcommittee hears of capital budget request & another room needed for ECDC (audio)

FM #910 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 910 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, Jan  4, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the 3rd floor training room. Remote participation was enabled for this session per their agenda. As the Chair was remote, the votes were via roll call.

Chair Dave McNeill opened the meeting. School Committee member Dave Callaghan was present to start, member Meghan Whitmore arrived at approx. 6:15. Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Business Manager Miriam Goodman, Asst Supt Paula Marano and Asst Supt Dr. Tina Rogers also participated.

Quick recap

• School Capital Budget Request was previewed with a late change to possibly reduce it from $900K to about $400K 

• ECDC Enrollment is increasing and a new classroom needs to be added for March to meet the new 17 students expected who are turning 3; can be covered from revolving funds for now but will require hiring a teacher and aides and be part of next budget request

• FY24 Budget Timeline no current adjustment due to new Governor and her budget which is not due until early March, will proceed with estimates based upon last year and adjust along the way as necessary

The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.

The recording runs about 44 minutes, so let’s listen to the Budget Subcommittee meeting of Jan  4, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-910-school-cmte-budget-subcmte-mtg-01-04-23

--------------

Budget Subcommittee agenda

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/budget_sub_committee_agenda_1_4_2023.pdf

My notes in this ThreadReader PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tcsb-fd21ZYQzYxUsrhhCKx8RuJNswco/view?usp=share_link 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

School Committee Budget Subcommittee hears of capital budget request & another room needed for ECDC (audio)

CommonWealth Magazine: "ed reform money reaching poorer districts"

"THE LOW-INCOME, HEAVILY IMMIGRANT city of Chelsea is getting over $2,600 per pupil more in state education aid than it did two years ago. That translates to nearly $19 million in additional funds each year going into the district’s $118 million budget.  

Mary Bourque, a former Chelsea superintendent and now director of government affairs for the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, called that a prime illustration that the Student Opportunity Act, a landmark rewrite of the state’s public education funding formula, is working. 

“It is benefiting those who were intended to benefit,” Bourque said. 

Passage of the law in 2019 came after years of complaints that the state education funding formula was not keeping pace with actual costs of providing an adequate education. The original formula, established through the Education Reform Act of 1993, was designed to help equalize education funding by steering more state aid to poorer communities, but critics say those districts were increasingly struggling to meet the rising costs of educating low-income students, English learners, and special education students. The revamp of the funding formula boosted state aid for all three categories of students as well as for the increasing costs of employee health care.  "

Continue reading the overall assessment of the Student Opportunity Act

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/on-target-ed-reform-money-reaching-poorer-districts/

Franklin is one of the "minimum aid" for two reasons; one, it is receiving more than the current calculation says it should. The overage amount is second only to Boston. As the local (Franklin taxpayer portion) of Net School Spending increases to the maximum, at that time, Franklin could see increase in benefits. Two, the second reason that Franklin gets minimum aid is due to its declining enrollment. We peaked at 6100 students in 2010 and have dropped to 4710 (as of the Oct 1, 2022 enrollment report).

The Oct 1, 2022 enrollment report as shared with the School Committee 10/25/22

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GI_O0QuahNYT0XsHhYtfd_hX-Fcfm8uo/view?usp=share_link

Additional info on the FY 23 school budget can be found online

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy-2023-budget

CommonWealth Magazine: "ed reform money reaching poorer districts"

NFHS Releases 1st High School Sports Participation Survey in 3 Years

Editor's note: The data is an interesting read. The question not answered here is if the sports participation declined 4%, what was the overall school enrollment doing during the same period. There is an overall school population declining trend and it may be more interesting to put these participation numbers in that full context.

"After collection of sports participation data was interrupted the previous two years by the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) was able to compile its High School Athletics Participation Survey for the 2021-22 school year – its first official report since 2018-19.

Although the total of 7,618,054 participants in 2021-22 is down four percent from the 2018-19 figure of 7,937,491, high school sports are on the road back after schools in many states were unable to offer programs in normal fashion during portions of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years.

The 2021-22 total is composed of 4,376,582 boys and 3,241,472 girls, according to figures obtained from the 51 NFHS member state associations, which includes the District of Columbia.

"Given what has occurred in our country the past three years, we believe a decline of only four percent in participation totals from 2018-19 is pretty remarkable,” said Dr. Karissa Niehoff, CEO of the NFHS. “We know some states that were able to complete surveys in 2020-21 reported participation increases this past year. So, we are very optimistic that trend will continue in the years to come as schools fully recover from the effects of the 2020 shutdown.”

Among the top 10 boys sports in participants from 2018-19, golf was the only sport to register an increase – up just under four percent with 148,585 participants and surpassing tennis as the eighth-most popular sport. Golf was one of the few sports to increase on both sides of the ledger as girls participation was up one percent to 80,829 participants.

Perhaps the biggest storyline in boys participation totals, however, is the sport of football. While boys 11-player football was down three percent (1,006,013 to 973,792) – less than the overall survey average of four percent – participation in 6-, 8- and 9-player football registered a 12 percent increase – from 31,221 to 34,935.

The slight movement from 11-player to other versions was seen in school sponsorship as well. While the number of schools with 11-player football dropped by 514 (14,247 to 13,733), the number of schools offering 6-, 8- or 9-player football increased by 227 (1,563 to 1,790).

And gains by girls playing football were even greater. In all four versions of the game (11, 9, 8, 6), girls participation increased 39 percent from the 2018-19 survey – 2,604 to 3,633. Additionally, the increase in girls flag football was 40 percent – 11,209 to 15,716 participants.

Altogether, boys and girls participation in all versions of football decreased only 2.2 percent – from 1,051,047 to 1,028,976.

“Certainly, the football numbers are encouraging after the previous report from the 2018-19 season,” Niehoff said. “The movement from 11-player to other versions of the game continues to be attractive to schools in some states, and the growth of girls flag football continues to gain ground in more areas of the country.”

Beyond golf, baseball experienced the best showing among top 10 boys sports from the 2018-19 survey with a decrease of only 1,736 – 482,740 to 481,004 – and remained fourth in popularity behind football, outdoor track and field, and basketball.

The other change in the boys top 10 sports was wrestling, which nudged cross country for sixth place – 231,874 to 231,387. Wrestling was down six percent from the previous survey while cross country had the biggest decline at 14 percent.

Other boys sports outside the top 10 that experienced significant gains from 2018-19 were volleyball (up 4.6 percent) and bass fishing (10,626 participants). 

Volleyball continued its rise in popularity among girls sports and was the only top 10 sport to register an increase from three years ago. With 454,153 participants, volleyball is only 2,500 participants behind track and field for the No. 1 participatory sport for girls. In addition, the emerging sport of girls sand/beach volleyball increased from 2,237 to 6,489 participants. 

Among other girls top 10 sports, soccer moved ahead of basketball to No. 3 behind track and field and volleyball, with softball remaining fifth. Cross country, swimming and diving, and competitive spirit registered the biggest declines the past three years among top 10 sports with 13-percent drops.

In addition to flag football, girls wrestling continued its recent surge in popularity with a 50 percent increase since 2018-19 – 21,124 to 31,654 participants. A total of 32 states now offer separate state wrestling championships for girls.

While most of the traditional sports experienced some level of decrease since 2018-19, the 2021-22 survey showed a dramatic rise in Unified sports participation. With only 5,541 combined participants from 10 states in 2018-19, this year’s survey indicated 47,909 combined participants in almost 20 states.

In addition to Unified sports participants, the survey indicated another 7,689 combined participants in Adapted sports. The 55,598 combined participants in Unified and Adapted sports represents a 163 percent increase from three years ago.

“It is great to see a growing interest in several emerging sports, as well as programs like Unified and Adapted programs,” Niehoff said. “Our goal continues to be to involve as many students as possible in high school sports and other activity programs.”  

This year’s survey indicated participation by high school students in 69 different sports, as well as 16 Adapted sports and 16 Unified sports. In addition to those previously noted, some of the more popular other sports (combined participation numbers) were bowling (57,219), field hockey (56,091), ice hockey (42,092), water polo (37,379) and weightlifting (25,257).

With an increase of about 20,000 participants, Texas topped the list of state participation with 846,161. Texas was one of 14 states that enjoyed a gain in participation since the 2018-19 survey. California retained the No. 2 position with 762,823 participants despite a drop of more than 60,000 from three years ago.

Other changes in the top 10 involved Ohio moving to No. 3 with 378,354 participants, followed by Pennsylvania (315,097), Illinois (314,839), New York (313,404), Florida (291,504), Michigan (271,423), New Jersey (264,139) and Massachusetts (215,848).

The NFHS High school Athletics Participation Survey was started in 1971 and was compiled in its current form through the 2018-19 school year and now resuming annually with the 2021-22 survey.

Following is a link to a partial report of the full survey. The full survey will be available soon on the NFHS website at www.NFHS.org."

Shared from the NFHS site

https://www.nfhs.org/articles/nfhs-releases-first-high-school-sports-participation-survey-in-three-years/

Boston Globe coverage (subscription may be required)  ->  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/23/sports/what-are-most-popular-high-school-sports-here-are-some-takeaways-latest-national-survey/

NFHS Releases 1st High School Sports Participation Survey in 3 Years

School Committee: Space Needs SubCmte Mtg - 06/06/22 (audio)

FM #812 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 812 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the School Committee - Space Needs Subcommittee meeting held virtually via Zoom on Monday, June 6, 2022. 

• Chair: A Charles; members D Spencer (left mtg), E Stokes
• Central Office: S Ahern, L Giguere, P Marano, M Goodman  

The meeting reviewed the data updates requested in the prior meeting. The bulk of the meeting previewed the update to be provided to the full School Committee as drafted by Chair Charles for  the regularly scheduled full School Committee meeting June 14, 2022. 

The update was discussed but not shared with the public participants as it was still an early draft. Feedback was taken by the Chair, who will continue to fine tune the draft with Central Office members. The presentation doc may not be released prior to the meeting.

The recording runs about 60 minutes, so let’s listen to the Space Needs discussion on June 6, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-812-school-cmte-space-needs-subcmte-mtg-06-06-22

--------------

Meeting agenda =>  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/spaceneedssubcom-6_6_22.pdf 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

School Committee: Space Needs SubCmte Mtg - 06/06/22 (audio)

Enrollment Applications Open for the 2022-2023 School Year at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical
Charter Public School
500 Financial Park
Franklin, MA 02038
www.bfccps.org

December 22, 2021

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (BFCCPS), located in Franklin, Massachusetts, is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting applications for the upcoming 20221-2023 school year.  BFCCPS is a regional public charter school for students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight.  Founded in 1995, BFCCPS is one of the oldest and most successful charter schools in the state of Massachusetts. 

Siblings of currently enrolled students will have priority enrollment status; thereafter applicants from all 13 communities in the school's district will have an equal chance at securing a spot for their child through the annual enrollment lottery to be held on March 3, 2022.  Applicants from outside of the region (who reside within the state of Massachusetts) will be eligible for enrollment should additional spaces remain after all sibling and regional applicants have been placed.  

For the 2022-2023 school year 96 spaces will be offered for Kindergarten and students at all other grade levels will receive a waiting list number.  Offers for Grades One through Eight would be contingent upon currently enrolled students electing not to return next year. As a public school, there is no tuition to pay if an applicant receives an offer of enrollment during the upcoming lottery.

The school provides a well-rounded, rigorous academic program designed to educate the whole child providing yearlong courses in art, music, languages, technology, and physical education. The school's integrated character education, community service, and strong parent partnerships, have led to local, state and national recognition. BFCCPS alumni continue to excel during their attendance at local public high schools as well as independent high schools.  In the fall of 2019 BFCCPS moved to a brand new 72,000 square foot facility located at 500 Financial Park in Franklin. 

In lieu of our traditional in person enrollment information sessions BFCCPS is offering Enrollment Videos and will hold a virtual Question and Answer session on January 15, 2022.  All of the enrollment details, including applications can be found on the school website at www.bfccps.org/info. Please note that the enrollment period will come to a close on February 15, 2022 at 4 PM.

If you'd like to learn more about the educational mission of the school or have enrollment related questions please contact the school's Communication Coordinator, Joanne Basile at jbasile@bfccps.org or 508-541-3434 x104.

About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does.

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School